How Pageants Changed My Life

"Wait, so were you like one of those Toddlers and Tiaras type of girls?"
"What was your talent?"
"Did you win any titles?"
"How much money did you spend on that?"
"You have how many dress?!"

I've heard them all and every single one leaves me questioning why I even bother to bring up to topic sometimes. But honestly, I wouldn't be there person that I am today without competing in pageants.

To be completely honest, I would have asked the same questions too five years ago before I started competing. Until I got the letter in the mail one day asking if I would want to compete.

I've always been the quiet one in the family. Always. I never liked to be the center of attention, would get good grades in school and try to stay under the radar as much as possible. So for my family, the thought that I was the one who was asked to compete in the pageant seemed completely wrong.

But my parents thought it would be a way to get me out of my shell, to push me outside my comfort zone. So, we signed up. Six months later I competed and it was after the first one that I competed in that I caught the bug. It's the pageant bug, the feeling of needing to compete and be on the stage. I researched, practiced walking, talking, interview questions, looked mindlessly for the "perfect gown."   The next one came, then the next one, and the one after that. I loved it. I loved being on stage, I loved talking in front of people, I loved meeting different girls who had the same goals as I did. I would not want to trade the three years of my life that I devoted to pageants.

I'm confident in myself,
I'm not afraid to voice my opinion,
to stand up for what I believe in,
the relationship between my mom and I grew immensely,
I'm passionate about giving back to my community,
I know how to think on my feet,
I know what it takes to work hard for what you want,
and above everything else,
I was continued to be shaped into the person that God has designed me to be.

Now to answer the questions above, no it's nothing like Toddlers and Tiaras, I did not have a talent, yes I won titles with various organizations, yes its expensive, and I probably own more dresses than I really need, but I wouldn't change any of the experiences for anything.

Sister in Christ,
Carrie

namiss.com
missroyaltyinternational.com
macpageants.com